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General Information

Eating and drinking

If food is your thing then you are spoilt for choice in the inner city and suburbs with cafes everywhere. The Strip lines up more cafés than you can possibly eat at in one day and your will find a Starbucks in the square as well as a Yellow Rocket bagel café and numerous other ethnic joints around the perimeter. Grab a copy of the free Brown Bear Indulge guide at the airport or around the city and make your choices from there or go on line to http://localeye.info/citylife and then click on Food & Wine Lovers and just take your pick. Visiting the Arts Centre Market will also be a taste bud tempter with food stalls and the cafés liberally sprinkled throughout the precinct.

Entertainment and Out & About

Within the Cultural Precinct http://www.culturalprecinct.co.nz/ and walking distance from the Conference venue, hotels and Cathedral Square there is a range of entertainment places including the Regent on Worcester movie theatre, the Court Theatre at the Arts Centre and the Southern Experience Aquarium. Tucked in the corner of Cathedral Square is the ‘i-site' office where you can book any tourist related events and tours. You might like to take a trip out the Gondola and enjoy the views out to the Southern Alps or hop a bus to the Antarctic Centre and watch the penguins.

Sumner is a fantastic Sunday location where you can enjoy walking along the Esplanade enjoying a giant ice cream or walking off your lunch from a café in Sumner. Again, choices to burn out there by the sea. Between the city and the sea, as well as the Gondola, you can visit Ferrymead Historical Park for some history or spend the evening at the Tamaki Maori Village - a great experience. You could also go inside and check out the atmosphere at the Casino in Victoria Street or enjoy the final day of the Body Festival http://www.thebody.co.nz/

Walking

Conference can be tiring, sitting down all day and indulging in the stunning food on offer at the Convention Centre. So what better way to prepare yourself than to get your walking shoes on and get in calorie credit? Christchurch is the walking city and again, there is plenty of choice. Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are stunning at this time of the year. A few paces on from the Arts Centre you will find the Canterbury Museum which sits on the edge of the Gardens. Spring is bursting out everywhere so a great time to visit. Within walking distance again we have the Provincial Chambers, a stunning architectural secret hidden right in front of your eyes, and showing at the stunning Christchurch Art Gallery is a range of exhibitions featured on the gallery website http://www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz Also check out the Christchurch Writers Trail for a literary divergence http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Publications/ChristchurchWritersTrail/

Libraries

Christchurch City Libraries has a strong presence in the city and suburbs and all have at least Saturday morning opening. However, if you are looking for service on a Sunday and want to enjoy our new FREE Internet service, sit and look out at the ocean or just sit and relax with a book and cup of coffee there are plenty of libraries to choose from. The Central library is on Gloucester St right near the Avon River and it is set up for free wireless if you have your laptop, out by the sea, New Brighton is a 12 km drive or bus ride to the ocean for the best seat in town, South Library sits in an oasis of green five minutes from the city centre has a lovely café, Upper Riccarton is new and stylish on the Main South Rd beyond the Westfield Riccarton Mall and Shirley library which has recently been refurbished is lovely and welcoming and has the added advantage of being right by The Palms shopping mall and on several direct bus routes. http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Community/Libraries/

Buses

Check out the bus timetables at www.metroinfo.org.nz

Spiritual

Churches abound in the centre of the city as well as other spiritual retreats. Aside from the Christchurch Cathedral in the Square you can find other churches and places of worship using the very useful AA Maps website http://maps.aa.co.nz

Other useful sites

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com
http://www.christchurch.org.nz/

Airport Transfers

The Christchurch International and Domestic airport is only 10 - 15 minutes from the inner city. To travel into the city you can catch an airport shuttle bus or take a taxi directly from outside the main terminals, which will cost approximately $35.00.

At the Conference

Your Conference pack will be available for collection from the Registration Desk located in the foyer of the Christchurch Convention Centre. The desk will be open at the following times:

Sunday 11 October  - 2.00pm - 6.00pm

Monday 12 October  - 7.00am - 5.30pm (closed during the Powhiri - 8.30am - 9.30am)
Tuesday 13 October  - 7.30am - 5.00pm
Wednesday 14 October - 7.30am - 5.00pm

LIANZA Vendors

The LIANZA Exhibition is being held in conjunction with the Conference in Halls B and C, at the Christchurch Convention Centre.

Special Requirements

Please give details of any special diet or disability assistance required on your registration form.

Christchurch, Otautahi

Christchurch has a unique blend of historic charm and exciting city life. Make sure you take time to visit the city's historic and cultural precinct of the Arts Centre, explore the boutique shops of the High Street, sample a range of cuisine from any of the cafés and restaurants on "The Strip" or SOL Square, take a walk through Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens, but most of all - relax and just enjoy this city.

Known as the ‘Garden City', Christchurch is well known for its parks and gardens. Hagley Park, a 500-acre parkland with stunning Botanical Gardens, is a pivotal feature of central Christchurch.

If you have time to explore Canterbury, a pleasant one and a half hour drive will take you to the French settlement of Akaroa on Banks Peninsula where you can enjoy lunch at one of the many cafés and restaurants, swim with the world's smallest dolphin - the Hectors Dolphin, or simply wander through the charming streets of this French village. The same distance north of Christchurch will take you via the Waipara wine district to Hanmer Springs where you can relax in the thermal pools, mountain bike or explore one of the many forest walks.

Conference Venue - Christchurch Convention Centre

95 Kilmore Street
Christchurch

The Christchurch Convention Centre is a contemporary and sophisticated purpose-built venue. The central city location is within easy walking distance of all recommended hotels and attractions including the Arts Centre and Christchurch Art Gallery.

Waiata

Learn the LIANZA waiata in preparation for LIANZA 2009 Conference. Click here to listen to the LIANZA waiata and learn the words